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Welcome
Welcome to Music Australia’s September eNews.
On 17 August the NSW Government announced new rules prohibiting all group activities involving singing and playing wind instruments in public schools in NSW. This joins the Victorian government’s restrictions which have also effectively prevented singing in schools. These developments naturally impact our Music: Count Us In program that brings hundreds of thousands of students together in song each year.
While Music Australia supports public health measures designed to limit the spread of COVID-19, we have been disappointed by the contradictions and inconsistencies between this advice and the approach being taken to other school activities, such as sports, and the approach being taken by other governments. The UK Government’s document ‘Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19) – Performing arts’ (updated 13 August 2020) explains that scientific studies commissioned by that government’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport resulted in a reduction of restrictions there on singing and playing instruments (see https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19/performing-arts)
Music Australia is not convinced that a child placing their head in a rugby scrum is at less risk of catching or transmitting COVID-19 than a child singing in a choir that is following the UK guidance. If the NSW government has any evidence to support their stance, we are interested in seeing it. It opens the question whether the UK places a higher value on music as part of the curriculum and is prepared to work harder to enable its continued inclusion, while the NSW government has taken this attitude towards sport but not music. Music Australia encourages an equitable and evidence based approach to restrictions, and a re-assessment and relaxing of restrictions where there is no evidence to suggest that there has been a significant heightening of risk. In this edition we look at how mitigating steps might be adopted following the UK example in order to minimise the risks of COVID-19 transmission.
We would also like to re-confirm that Music: Count Us In is a national program which will be fully operational while there are teachers and students in any state who are able and wishing to participate. Given that states have different risk profiles and strategies, we do not anticipate any blanket national ban that would cause the program to cease operation in 2020. We are particularly mindful of the stress and confusion that is being created for school teachers at this time, and look forward to supporting them to continue to make music part of school life, to the degree permitted by government regulation.
Other topics in this edition include:
- Brisbane is to host the 35th ISME World Conference in July 2022, the first time in over three decades since Australia last held this important international music education event;
- Founded on the vision of the late conductor and music education advocate Richard Gill, the Richard Gill School in Muswellbrook, NSW, is due to open its doors in 2021;
- The Australian Singing Competition became the ASC@Home Competition this year with contestants sending in videos of their performances. We look at how it went and whether it will happen again next year;
- The Australian Major Performing Arts Group (AMPAG) is closing to make way for a larger and more broadly constituted advocacy body for non-profit arts organisations;
- Brisbane’s post-genre concert series has responded to COVID-19 with a series of video tutorials and podcasts intended to serve young and emerging practitioners in the new classical and experimental art space;
- and we count down to Music: Count Us In's Celebration Day
For more national and international music news don't forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
Cheers,
Paul Saintilan
CEO, Music Australia
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Encouraging students to become passionate about music, the Music Count Us In program traditionally culminates in a national ‘Celebration Day’ event in November, where schools across Australia connect via live-stream to sing the same song, on the same day, at the same time. Due to the current challenges faced by schools and teachers in states where group singing at school is not possible due to COVID-19, we are excited to announce that our 2020 Celebration Day will also feature for the first time, a full performance of the song in Auslan. We encourage all participating schools to learn the Auslan translation of the song which will enable all students in all states to safely perform the Program Song together as planned, while complying with health and safety advice in their area. Full story
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 CLASSICAL
Australian Major Performing Arts Group is closing following changes to the shape of arts advocacy occasioned by the creation of the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework in 2019. An announcement on what is to follow is expected in coming weeks. Full story
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 CLASSICAL
Brisbane ‘post-genre concert series has responded to COVID-19 with a series of video tutorials and podcasts intended to serve young and emerging practitioners in the new classical and experimental art space. This year it has also introduced a Composition Fellowship program. Full story
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 EDUCATION
The NSW Government has barred choir singing and group playing of wind instruments in public schools in that state. We look at how mitigating steps might be adopted following the UK example in order to minimise the risks of COVID-19 transmission. Full story
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 EDUCATION
Brisbane is to host the 35th ISME World Conference in July 2022, the first time in over three decades since Australia last held this important international music education event. ISME chief executive Ian Harvey gives an update on plans. Full story
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 EDUCATION
Founded on the vision of the late conductor and music education advocate Richard Gill, the Richard Gill School in Muswellbrook, NSW, is due to open its doors in 2021. Its principal, Chris English, provides an update on progress. Full story
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 COMMUNITY
The Australian Singing Competition became the ASC@Home Competition this year with contestants sending in videos of their performances. We speak with one of the organisers, Nell O’Grady, about how it went and whether it will happen again next year. Full story
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 All the latest music opportunities - here and online!
Access our complete suite of Opportunities at your leisure on our website. Your one-stop-shop for all the latest music information: competitions, awards, funding, jobs, conferences, events, workshops, resources and more. View the OPPORTUNITIES section on our website now! And the latest opportunities are below.
To share an Opportunity send us an email.
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Upcoming Award Presentations, Competitions and Submissions:
Expression of Interest to join Music Victoria COVID-19 Recovery Advisory Group
Closing 28 August
Music Victoria is seeking expressions of interest from Victorian music industry experts to join a voluntary panel.
National Arts and Disability Awards 2019-21, Australia Council
Closing 1st September
Australian Guild of Screen Composers new network for musicians recording at home during the stay-at-home period.
Mentoring for Australian Music Managers
The NZ MMF have partnered with the AAM in Australia to provide one on one mentoring for NZ MMF members and experienced Australian Music Managers.
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Workshops, Seminars & Programs
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Workshops and Education just around the corner:
Copyright Fundamentals Session
1 - 4 September
Topics include: What is copyright? What does copyright law protect and how? Copyright ownership. How long does copyright last? Copyright infringement: how it works? Copyright exceptions: when you do and don’t need permission? Moral rights and moral rights infringement
Creative Arts Special Admissions Scheme
Sydney Conservatorium of Music
The new Creative Arts Special Admissions Scheme offers talented Year 12 students a chance to enter music and visual arts degrees based on audition and portfolio prior to getting their ATAR.
Callaway Centre Research Seminar Series
1 September
Joshua Bamford | Music as a tool for social bonding: from 6 MYA to the COVID-19 era
Sing in September
13 September
The Boite has developed an online day of singing. Presenters from the UK, Canada and Melbourne will bring their expertise to offer new songs and opportunities to singers here and across the globe in the form of 3x90 minute workshops presented online.
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Festival and Conference Opportunities:
Midsumma Festival
Event registrations close 2 October 2020
Midsumma Festival - queer arts and cultural festival, bringing together a diverse mix of LGBTQIA+ artists, performers, communities and audiences.
International Conference on Philosophy of Music and Art
Conference 3 - 4 December 2020
Paper submissions close 31 August
International Conference on Philosophy of Music and Art aims to bring together leading academic scientists, researchers and research scholars to exchange and share their experiences and research results on all aspects of Philosophy of Music and Art.
BIGSOUND 2020
21 - 22 October 2020
BIGSOUND 2020 will entertain, inform and inspire music industry participants to rebuild and re-emerge from the COVID crisis. It will address the needs of First Nations artists and music industry workers as part of the national recovery process and offer industry a place to reconnect and look towards a new era of productivity and growth.
INSPIRE 2021
21 - 22 January 2021
A two-day conference for studio music teachers to engage with an incredible line-up of Australian presenters in areas of music pedagogy, business, history and well-being
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Funding opportunities:
Upstart Award
Applications close 31 August
The UpStart Award is an annual grant of $10,000 to an emerging Victoria singer-songwriter. The award is funded by a music loving family in Melbourne and the winner will be decided by a panel of local artists and music experts.
Creative Engine
Applications close 31 August
Geelong Arts Centre has announced a package of grants through its Creative Engine program to benefit artists and creatives working in the G21 region.
Helpmann Academy Creative Stimulus Grants Scheme
Closing 7 September
The four-part program aims to support artists at different stages and in different financial positions, casting a wide net of support of up to $200,000.
Live Music Australia
Applications close 13 September
The Live Music Australia program is a competitive grants opportunity for small to medium sized venues that support quality original Australian live music.
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Applications closing soon for these Jobs & Auditions:
JOBS
Expressions of Interest - Co-concertmaster
Closing 30 September
Queensland Symphony Orchestra is seeking to fill a co-concertmaster position to join the Orchestra’s outstanding concertmaster Warwick Adeney.
New England Conservatorium of Music, CEO
Closing 7 September
The Board of the New England Conservatorium of Music (NECOM) in Armidale NSW is seeking an experienced and inspirational Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to commence in January 2021.
Adelaide Youth Orchestra, Executive Director
Closing 31 August
Adelaide Youth Orchestras (AdYO) is seeking a highly motivated, dynamic and visionary Executive Director to lead the organisation
Caulfield Grammar School - Wheelers Hill Campus Teacher of Music - Secondary
Closing 30 August
Applications are invited from qualified and experienced classroom teachers for a specialist role in teaching Classroom Music. This is a 0.8 to full-time position commencing 2021 at our Wheelers Hill Campus.
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Our favourite upcoming events and performances from our community
Darwin Symphony Orchestra
Kids' Classics: Hoedown
September
An interactive and fun event bringing together music and movement, DSO Concertmaster Tara Murphy will take you through the steps and have your toes tapping.
Synergy Percussion
40under40
40 miniature works for percussion and video, commissioned by a cadre of dedicated art-lovers from an unprecedented international cross-section of contemporary composers, choreographers, musicians, and video artists.
Opera Queensland
José Carbó
11 - 12 September
The popular Argentinian-Australian baritone José Carbó has won over audiences from La Scala to The Met with his rich and glorious tone. Now it’s time for the celebrated singer to offer some insider secrets about the trajectory of his extraordinary career with music by Fauré, Verdi and Gluck, among others.
A Musical Life… reveals the stepping stones, survival tactics and defining moments in José’s life in opera, from works taught to him by his first singing teacher to his most explosive and challenging roles.
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Key Supporters
- The Australian Government through the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE).
- City of Sydney
- Create NSW
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